Student Worksheet

Thought-starter: Should environmental artists use environmentally friendly materials, techniques, technologies and processes?

In this activity you will be exploring how different environmental artists represent one environmental issue and writing a newspaper article around these artists.

You will need to:

Select one of the following environmental issue to investigate - climate change, consumption or biodiversity loss;
Find three works of art by different artists that address the issue you have chosen;
Analyse how these different artists have addressed this issue using the questions below.
Write a newspaper article about these three works of art.

In the news

Write a newspaper article about an imagined exhibition where these three artists have their work presented. The exhibition is titled: 'Eco-art = Eco-responsibility'?

Your article should address the following points for each artist:

What do you think is the visual intention of the artist?
What is the medium used and how does it support the visual intention of the artist?
What visual conventions has the artist used? Are these a common theme in this artist's work?
Do you think this artwork successfully communicates a message about this environmental issue? Why or why not? How could it be improved?

Your article should also:

Include a brief summary of the environmental issue you have chosen to address;
Include images of the artworks discussed (remember to reference appropriately);
Include a brief bio of each artist; and
Include some remarks about the title of the show - 'Eco-art = Eco-responsibility'.

Tips for writing a newspaper article

A newspaper article usually contains the following:

A headline that catches the reader's attention;
A first paragraph that gives the main point of the story and answers the question of who the article is about;
Following paragraphs provide answers to the questions of what, where, when, why and how;
Paragraphs are short and punchy, giving information in a clear and concise way;
References to what people said, either using direct speech or reported speech;
Use of past tense because the report refers to an event which has already taken place.

Assessment

You will be asked to read and review the articles of other students/groups. You should use the 'I heard, I noticed, I wondered' format for reviewing other students' works. You should then amend your articles to reflect the suggestions made by reviewing students.

I heard...	For the reviewer: First try to summarise the article. Tell the writer what you saw as the main idea.
	For the writer: Listen to this section and try to hear whether or not you communicated what you were trying to say.
I noticed...	For the reviewer: Tell the author about some of the things that attracted your attention. What worked well? What details seemed especially vivid or striking? What will you remember about this article?
	For the writer: Think about why the reviewer noticed these things, and how you can make all your writing as effective.
I wondered...	For the reviewer: Did you have any questions when you finished reading? Did you not understand what something meant, or why it was included? Did something bother or disturb you? Did you suspect something might have worked better another way? This section is your chance to ask the writer all these questions.
	For the writer: Try to answer the reviewer's questions. Look at your writing again, and see if there is any way to make those points clearer to a reader.

Resources

Climarte

This is Colossal (search for your chosen environmental issue)

350 Art

Artists and Climate Change

14 artists with a green message

12 Amazingly Creative Examples of Environmental Art

Environmental art - Huffington Post

Three environmental artists, one environmental issue

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